These articles, from The San Francisco Call, discuss the Consolidated Piedmont
Cable Company's gravity loop. Many cable car lines were designed so that cars would drop the cable and coast for
stretches, as San Francisco's Powell Street lines do between California and the block between Washington and
Jackson. The gravity loop was unique because cars could pull up their grips and coast down a different route,
stopping at a popular recreation site, Blair Park.

From the San Francisco Morning Call / Thursday, October 30, 1890. Page 8.

E. A. Heron was one of the original directors of the Consolidated Piedmont Cable Company. He
was later president of the road.

from REAL ESTATE.

E. A. Heron of 1050 Broadway has subdivided
the Terminal Tract situated on the
Piedmont cable system and within one block
of Blair Park. The situation is one of the
best on this line, being at the junction of
the cable and gravity loop, with a frontage
on the cable system of 727 feet. The view
from this point is unobstructed and the
Golden Gate, San Francisco, Oakland and
surrounding country may be seen from each
lot in the subdivision. Streets have been
graded and cement sidewalks laid, and the
city water is piped to the property. There is
communication with San Francisco every
fifteen minutes.

From the San Francisco Morning Call / Sunday, March 22, 1891. Page 8.

Blair Park in 2009 is the subject of a
controversy about building athletic fields. I have never been to Blair Park because
it is "the resort entirely of the better class."
William Hammond Hall was first superintendent of Golden Gate Park.
The soon-to-open Acquatic Theater became known as the Piedmont Baths.
Colonel Jack Hays was a Texas Ranger
and Mexican War veteran who settled in the area.

"Some Interesting Bits About Piedmont."

A detail of the illustration, showing a cable car on the gravity loop, pausing at the gate of Blair Park.
May, 2009 Picture of the Month.

PICTURESQUE PIEDMONT.

Glimpses of a Region of Delightful Hollies.

The Piedmont Cable Company and Its Enterprise -- The Attractions at Blair's Park. Views of Surpassing Grandeur.

Piedmont has always been considered one of the most favored as well as famous of
Oakland's charming suburbs.

Although the hillsides and valleys that bound Oakland on the north and east, and
which, speaking generally, are sometimes called Oakland Heights, were early taken
up by settlers, who utilized them for farming and stock raising, there yet seems to
have been no definite conception of their great future value until comparatively late
days.

PIEDMONT SPRINGS,

The ranch including which was long known as Bushy Dell, on account of the wooded
and romantic character of the ravine or glen in which the springs are situated, were
known in early days and were already then much resorted to. It was these springs that
first made Piedmont a favorite. Finally in 1868, 1869 and 1870 there was somewhat of a
"boom," and Piedmont lands began to be sought after. This died away, however,
and, except that the springs were always popular, but little attention was
paid to the locality. The progressive history of Piedmont may be said
to have had its commencement with the formation in 1877 of the Piedmont Land
Company, composed of James Gamble (President), James de Fremery. George W.
Beaver, L. A. Booth and T. L. Barker, all well-known and prominent citizens. They
owned a considerable tract of land at Piedmont since the time already named. Having
thorough confidence in the future and, moreover, possessing the courage and the
means to accomplish their purpose, these gentlemen summoned William Hammond
Hall, the distinguished civil and landscape engineer, to the task of laying out and
subdividing the property. This he did, with the assistance of M. G. King, C.E., of
Oakland. To their labors is due the admirable method upon which Piedmont is planned,
with its winding avenues which follow the natural undulations of the ground and add
artificial grace to the high inherent beauties of the spot. Upon the completion of this
work the property found ready sale, and many handsome and elegant residences
arose within the parklike region. To this company is also owing the fact that Piedmont
is so admirably supplied with water. In addition to the numerous springs which
break forth spontaneously at different points the main pipes of the Contra Costa
Water Company are led through the section, the connection being made with the
main reservoir in the mountains, affording a head of water of great strength. A horse-car
line supplied access. This closes the second period of the history of Piedmont.

THE PIEDMONT OF TO-DAY

Is the creation of the past three years, and its growth, which is only yet gathering
headway, is matter of astonishment.

Right here it is proper to say that Piedmont has been singularly fortunate, not
only has she wonderful natural advantages, but she has had energetic and capable men
to profit by these and fittingly to undertake and carry out stupendous works to
make these advantages available. Chief among these, of course, is

THE PIEDMONT CABLE-ROAD,

The task presented to whose projectors was not only to construct a road of great
engineering difficulty, but to create a traffic for the road when built. How this is being
accomplished makes an interesting story.

The Piedmont branch of the Consolidated Piedmont Cable Company's line, the
only one as yet constructed, is some three miles in length and forms the bond of
connection between the heart of Oakland and the summit of Piedmont ridge. Their
gigantic engine-house is situated on the low ground just at the head of Lake Merritt.
Two cables are operated, the one serving the lower or city portion of the present line
and the other the upper, or Piedmont section. It is this latter that has especial
interest for us. It is carried over a rolling and difficult country, crossing deep ravines
on trestle bridges and rising at a rapid pace to the terminal point on Vernal avenue,
which is at an elevation of about 400 feet above the city of Oakland. A novel device
was adopted from the terminal point, where the grip,

THE GRAVITY LOOP,

Is lifted and the car coasts down the grade, propelled only by the force of gravity, but
so thoroughly under control that it can be stopped within a few feet to the entrance of
Blair's Park and thence returns by a winding course to the main track, some quarter
of a mile below the terminus, where the cable is again taken.

The officers of the company are: Montgomery Howe, President; E. A. Heron,
Vice-President, and H. P. Garthwaite, Superintendent and Secretary. Among the projectors
should be prominently mentioned the Howes and Mrs. Blair, who contributed
largely to the cost of building, and especially Messrs. A. W. Bowman and E. A.
Heron for their energy in pushing matters forward. The latter gentleman was the
financial agent for the company and is responsible for securing all the funds by
which the road was built. The San Francisco Tool Company, which makes a
specialty of railroad construction, were the builders, having contracted for every part
of the Piedmont road from breaking ground to completion. It is but just to say that to
the ingenious and fertile brain, as well as the capable management of the energetic
manager of the Tool Company, Mr. Ira Bishop, is due to a large degree the adoption
of the many labor-saving devices in construction and equipment which have
made the road a success. It is solidly and well constructed. The cost of the construction
was something like $800,000. To help get a return for this money the company leased

BLAIR'S PARK.

During the past two years there has been created at Piedmont a park and pleasure
ground of such unusual beauty and genuine attraction that it is worthy of especial
description. Originally laid out by the late Walter Blair for the purposes to which it is
now devoted, it has been taken in hand by the Piedmont Cable Company, and extensive and
important improvements have been made or are now under way. The cable company is indebted
to Mr. Ira Bishop of the San Francisco Tool Company for the design and laying out of the
grounds and the adoption of the principal attractions of the park. The park itself
comprises an area of seventy-five acres, but is surrounded on
three sides by the rugged heights and the picturesque mountain canyons for which
Piedmont Heights are celebrated, thus practically giving a range of vastly larger scope
to the limits of the park, while on the fourth side, or front, by which the approach is
made, a splendid view is had over the whole of Oakland, the bay, the city of San Francisco
and the unequaled water prospect that ranges from the Golden Gate inward to the
Contra Costa shore. To gain this view at the best advantage the visitor will climb to
Inspiration Point, which, rising at the back to an altitude of some 700 feet, dominates
the whole surrounding country and gives the view in panorama of everything from
Berkeley to Alameda on this shore and from Mount Tamalpais down along the
Coast Range. An easy, graded trail has been constructed to this point, with frequent
benches and resting-places on the way, and is a most popular feature. A fact
that is always appreciated by the many pilgrims to Inspiration Point is a living spring
of fresh, cold water that rises just above the point. An observatory will eventually be
erected here.

SOME OF THE ATTRACTIONS.

As the cable-car comes swinging down the "gravity curve" and draws up at the
entrance to the park there is found a portal which is later to be replaced by a
substantial arch, at either side of which is planted a giant wisteria, one blue,
the other white, said to he 100 years of age and specially
imported from Japan. These will be trained over the arch and in the season will
present a solid mass of bloom. One goes directly by broad walks to the bandstand,
with its amply-seated oval, to listen for a time to the band. A concert will be
given on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the best talent, of Oakland and San
Francisco being secured. Just before reaching this place the fountain is passed. The water
is abundant and has a fall of several hundred feet, and hence the fountain is of real
strength and fullness. To the right is the maze, or labyrinth -- a copy of the celebrated
Parisian labyrinth destroyed in the Franco-Prussian war. It Is a very interesting puzzle,
having sixty-four paths, and requiring a very perplexing journey to reach the pavilion
at the center, whence a view is obtained of the devious ways of those endeavoring to gain
the spot. In size it is over 20,000 square feet, and is constructed of lattice work.
But, without doubt, one of the greatest novelties is the

JAPANESE TEA-HOUSE,

An exact copy of the ancient tea-houses of Japan. It was framed in Japan of native
woods by native artisans, was sent over complete, and has been put together by Japanese
carpenters on this side. Tea in native style will be served by Japanese maidens in
national costume, the whole ensemble being a bit of oriental luxury dropped into
the practical Occident. A choice collection of roses is being planted about the
tea-house, which will eventually embower it in flowers.

Nor are the children forgotten. While in a sense the whole park is their play ground,
there are especial attractions for them. In one locality there has been constructed a
Venetian canal over 1000 feet in length, one portion being carried across a ravine on
trestle work, and by a circuitous route giving a very novel water ride. In another
place is the merry-go-round with adjuncts of swings, seesaws, donkey and goat carts, etc.,
just as found at Golden Gate Park.

At the entrance to the canyon at the back of the park are found the tables and benches
for picnic parties, of which there are a great number. The nooks and corners farther up
are popular spots for basket parties, while the paths which are opened for a mile or
more up the canyon supply pleasant promenades. Later on it is the intention to erect
a capacious and handsome casino which will be surrounded on all sides by broad
verandahs and will be In the midst of shrubbery and flower beds. A photograph gallery,
refreshment booth (no liquors being sold on the grounds), and every convenience will
go to complete the arrangements.

The lower grounds of the park are taken up by a lake of considerable extent, which
adds the further charm of variety to the scene. The grounds are clean and tastily
kept, there being no brush or rubbish anywhere, and are the resort entirely of the better
class, largely family parties who come to spend the day, bringing their luncheon in
baskets. Eventually the park will be almost a huge flower garden, many thousands of
plants, shrubs, flowers and bulbs being set out. In everything there seems a desire to
keep the place choice and select, neither expense nor trouble being spared by the lessees
to make and keep Blair's Park one of the most attractive spots on the Oakland side of
the bay.

OAKLAND AQUATIC THEATER.

Another means adopted by the company to cause travel on the Piedmont cable road
is the erection of the great aquatic theater beside the power house. No attempt will
be made to describe it here, that duty being postponed until the opening a few weeks
hence. Suffice it now to say the building is ornate and elegant, the accommodation and
equipment promises to be most complete and the baths can hardly fail of being very
popular. This, too, is being efficiently constructed by the San Francisco Tool
Company, who make a specialty of that kind of work.

A MILD CLIMATE.

In regard to climate it is claimed that Piedmont is not surpassed by any locality in
the State. It is above the ordinary frost line and is often free from the heavy fogs
which settle in the lowlands. Careful tests show the temperature at night to be an
average of about five degrees warmer than in Oakland. In summer the trade winds
which are so severe in San Francisco often fail to reach Piedmont, and when they do
they are tempered with mildness. By kindness of Mr. James Gamble a comparative
table of average temperatures at Oakland, San Rafael and Piedmont is given from
observations taken by him in January a few years since:

Oakland

7 a. m., 45°

2 p. m., 58°

8 p. m., 51°

San Rafael

7 a. m., 47°

2 p. m., 63°

8 p. m., 53°

Piedmont

7 a. m., 48°

2 p. m., 60°

8 p. m., 55°

AN UNEQUALED VIEW.

On a clear day the view is almost unsurpassable, a panorama lying displayed before
the eye that even the famous Bay of Naples cannot excel. The two cities, Oakland and
San Francisco, on either side of the peaceful, land-locked sea, lie in perfect
bird's-eye, while the Golden Gate, flanked by its protecting body-guard of hills,
presents a picture never to be forgotten. In plain view are classic Berkeley, the
stately eminences of Piedmont itself crowned with elegant homes, the spires of Oakland, the
lawns of Alameda, and so on as far as the eye can range. The late J. Ross Browne,
who was a famous traveler, declared of Piedmont that "he had traveled almost over
the world, and he could remember no other place where the view was more extended,
beautiful and diversified."

RAPID RISE IN VALUES.

In consequence of these attractions and these improvements there has been almost
a phenomenal rise in values, and even yet the prices are considered low for so
advantageous a location near a metropolitan city. Three years ago property was fetching in
acreage lots from $1500 to $2000 an acre, and the Pleasant Valley property, etc,
intervening, from $500 to $600. To-day, in subdivisions, choicer locations reach $9000
or thereabouts, while undivided tracts near the cable cannot be touched for less than
$3000 an acre. At the present time there are several desirable tracts that are
receiving marked attention. Linda Vista Terrace, on the first large plateau reached by
the cable-road, is noteworthy, commanding a capital view and being very desirable,
with graded, sidewalked and sewered streets, etc. The Stanford Tract is now
being got in order, and will be thoroughly improved and "citified" before being placed
on market. The Hunton Tract, adjoining the terminus of the cable-road, is another
attractive property on easy terms. The Piedmont Tract, directly facing the terminus of
the road, is proving popular with investors. The same may be said of the
Terminal Tract
and many others, lots in which are being sold at bargain prices on easy terms.

IN HAYS CANYON.

An adjoining section that must not be omitted while speaking of Piedmont is Hays
Canyon, the romantic valley just behind the ridge that receives its name from having
long been the home of the famous Colonel Jack Hays. Here is found the beautiful
home of W. J. Dingee, the Oakland real estate dealer, with its fine conservatories and
thrifty orchards of prunes, apricots, olives and pears -- 35 acres orchard and over 1000
in all. This place is well worthy of a visit. Lower down are the fine places also of Mrs.
Kohler. Judge R. M. Gibson, Mrs. Field and others.

THE FUTURE.

Of Piedmont is undoubtedly bright. These high lands are being sought out as the sites
for beautiful homes. For health and pleasure people of wealth and culture always
seek the higher grounds. Already Piedmont counts among her people such names
as those of ex-Governor George C. Perkins, I. Requa, L. A. Booth. F. E. D. Myers, J.
B. Richardson, James Gamble, Mr. Randall, J. L. Wetmore, R. W. Wing, A. W. Bowman,
E. R. Elrod, Hugh Craig, A. Aldrich, E. W. Roberts Jr. and many others well
known in every circle, whose beautiful homes and grounds would ornament any locality,
while now that the cable road is running many more are coming in. Since
its arrival about thirty new structures have gone up or are now in course of erection,
some of them costing $8000 to $10,000.

To sum up, Piedmont possesses a favorable climate, has an unequaled prospect, is
easily and cheaply reached, has famous medicinal springs and is the abode of
wealthy and public-spirited men.

The future of Piedmont -- "gem of California" -- is undoubtedly bright.

From the San Francisco Morning Call / Wednesday, July 8, 1896. Page 13.

I have not been able to figure out if this lake still exists. Maps show some
ponds near Highland Avenue and Moraga Avenue.

DROWNED IN THE LAKE OF MYSTERY.

Willie Leach Meets the Fatal Current in Blair's Pond.

A WIDOW'S ONLY SON.

A VERITABLE DEATH - TRAP.

The Warning to Bathers Seems to Have Been Regarded as an Invitation.

Oakland Office San Francisco Call, 908 Broadway, July 7.

The lake of mystery near the Blair ranch
in the Piedmont hills has claimed another
victim. William Leach, a boy 16 years of
age, was drowned this morning while
bathing in the lake.

Young Leach was the only child of a
widowed mother, who is at present employed
as a domestic by James Stanley at
Mission San Jose. The boy lived with the
Arlett family on Brush street and worked
for a lithographing firm. Being a legal
holiday the lad was visiting in Piedmont,
where he formerly resided.

Leach and some other lads went hunting
this morning, and while his companion hunted
around the lake Willie decided to take a swim.
When his companion saw Leach sinking he tried to
throw a plank to him, but he could not
reach it. No one else was near and Leach
drowned before assistance could be summoned.

In the center of the lake there is a very
cold current, and whenever a swimmer
reaches it he is invariably seized with
cramps. The lake is a veritable trap and
has claimed more victims during its short
existence than any other sheet of water in
the county.

About eight years ago there was a stone
quarry in the hills. The workmen were at
their noontide meal when they heard a
great noise. Where a blast had just taken
place a great body of water rushed up from
the earth. The men had barely time to
escape, and their tools and wagons were
speedily submerged.

The carts and implements are still at
the bottom of the lake, which has remained
permanently. The sheet of
water is just about an acre in area and
is very deep in the middle. Over where
the spring is supposed to be there is an icy
current and every year since the quarry in
the hills became a lake it has claimed some
victims.

There is a notice posted near the lake
warning bathers that it is dangerous to go
into the water, but so far the warning
seems to have been regarded in the light of
an invitation.

The body of young Leach has not yet
been recovered, but friends will drag the
lake. The mysterious pond is located to
the right of the gravity-loop of the Piedmont
cable road. It is about a quarter of
a mile south of the entrance to Blair Park.

From the San Francisco Morning Call / Sunday, July 11, 1897. Page 9.

Various railroads and street railroads kept Assessor Dalton very busy, as we
also saw in the article "Battle Over Assessments."
This reflects lingering problems caused by the Panic of 1893, our worst economic depression before
1929.

TROUBLE OVER ASSESSMENTS.

Piedmont Railroad Company Asks for a Nominal Valuation.

Wants the Figures of the Assessor Reduced to One-Quarter.

Contra Costa Water Company Also Values Its Franchises at a Trifle.

Oakland Office San Francisco Call. 908 Broadway, July 10.

The Supervisors held their first meeting
to-day as a Board of Equalization. There
are several applications on file, but it is
known that there wilt be many more during
the coming week.

Assessor Dalton has placed the value of
the Southern Pacific property, at the figures
he valued it last year, and as it was
greatly reduced by the Supervisors the
company will certainly ask that it be
reduced.

The most important application heard
to-day was that of the Piedmont and
Mountain View Railroad Company, who
ask that the value of their property be reduced
from $231,925 to $66,925, about one-fourth
of the Assessor's figures.

The details of the application show just
where the company estimate the big cuts
should be made. They ask that the
Washington-street line be reduced from
$16,450 to $8000, Broadway line, $24,000 to
$10,000; Clay-street line, $9150 to $3500;
Webster avenue line, $15,950 to $3000;
Oakland avenue line, $18,250 to $6000;
power-house lots from $4000 to $2750;
power-house improvements, $20,000 to $5000;
cars, machinery, etc, $43,000 to $19,500;
Washington-street franchise from $5000 to $25;
Broadway franchise, $7500 to $25;
Twenty-fourth street franchise, $1000 to $25;
Fourteenth street and Peralta, $7500 to
$25; Webster avenue line, $14,600 to $3000;
the gravity loop, $2000 to $l000; other
franchises assessed at $12,500 to $75.

Ira Bishop, manager of the road, stated
that the property had greatly depreciated
during the past year because of the
abandonment of certain portions which had
hitherto been considered valuable. He
said that changing the road from a cable
to an electric line had also reduced the
value of the property. Mr. Bishop said
that the property, compared with San
Francisco assessments, would be equitably
assessed at the reduced figures asked for
by the company.

Assessor Dalton objected to the arguments
of Mr. Bishop, and asked the
board to investigate me matter by next
Monday, and then to finally hear the matter,
and this suggestion was adopted.

J. H. T. Watkins, the agent of the Contra
Costa Water Company, made applications to
have the franchises of his company reduced
to a nominal figure. The company wants the
following reductions made: Franchise in Brooklyn
Township, from $25,000 to $100; in Oakland Township,
from $25,000 io $100; in Eden Township, $26,000 to
$100. and in the city of Oakland, $75,000 to $100.

From the San Francisco Morning Call / Saturday, September 1, 1900. Page 11.

The Oakland Transit Company removed the loop because the company no longer operated the park.

Piedmont Gravity Loop Removed.

OAKLAND. Aug. 31.--The Oakland
Transit Company is removing the track
from the gravity loop on its Piedmont
branch. By this loop, which was built
before the introduction of electricity and
was considered a novel feat of engineering,
cars formerly ran from the Piedmont terminus
past Oakland park and back to the main line.
The fact that the railroad company no longer
has an interest in the park is given as the
reason for the removal.